Trump to hold event for free speech on college campuses, eyes executive order

Dave Boyer The Washington TimesMarch 18, 2019

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order Thursday promoting free speech on college campuses, in the wake of conservative and pro-life students being targeted for their beliefs.

The White House will host an event at 3 p.m. Thursday, with Mr. Trump scheduled to speak, according to a source familiar with the planning.

Among those expected to attend is Kristan Hawkins, president of Student for Life of America, which has more than 1,200 chapters at colleges and high schools nationwide. In an op-ed last year in the Wall Street Journal, Ms. Hawkins said pro-life students “increasingly find their ability to make their case suppressed by fellow students and administrators.”

In a speech earlier this month, Mr. Trump said he would soon issue an executive order requiring colleges to ensure free speech on campus or risk losing federal research dollars.